Effect

Dragon Tail inflicts damage. Additionally, it will automatically end wild Pokémon battles or, in a Trainer battle, it will switch out the opposing Pokémon to the next Pokémon in line that has not fainted. If using this move causes the user to faint (such as if the target is holding a Rocky Helmet or has the ability Rough Skin or Iron Barbs), the target will not be forced to switch. Like Roar and Whirlwind, Dragon Tail also has decreased priority.

Dragon Tail will fail to end wild Pokémon battles or switch out the opposing Trainer's Pokémon if it has the Ability Suction Cups, is under the effects of Ingrain, or has Substitute set up. It will also fail to end wild Pokémon battles if the user is at a lower level than the foe. In a Trainer battle, it will fail to switch out the opposing Pokémon if there isn't another to take its place.

In other games

Table assumes the user is in the square marked by > facing to the right.Orange squares indicate spaces that are hit.Red squares indicate the knockback on hit Pokémon.A blue square indicates the user's position after performing the move.